The pull-out method (pulling the penis out before ejaculation) is about 80% effective at preventing pregnancy, but there’s still a real risk—especially if pre-cum contains sperm or if timing is off. It doesn’t protect against STIs. For the best protection, combine pulling out with another birth control method (like condoms or the pill) and know that emergency contraception, such as the Julie Morning After Pill, can help reduce pregnancy risk if used soon after unprotected sex.
“Pulling out” (coitus interruptus, if we want to get scientific) is a birth control method that involves pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation and releasing ejaculate away from the genitals. People have used this method to prevent pregnancy for years, but how effective is it?
Can you get pregnant from the pull-out method?
Yes. It’s possible to get pregnant from the pull-out method, but when done correctly, the chances of pregnancy are reduced.
There are two main ways you can get pregnant from the pull-out method. The first is getting caught up in the moment and not pulling out before ejaculation. The second is pre-cum. It only takes one sperm (one!) to become pregnant. Pre-cum can carry sperm, and cum near the vaginal opening can get inside and result in a pregnancy.
Approximately one in five couples that use the pull-out method during a single calendar year will get pregnant. Not pulling out in time, especially during the fertile window, creates a higher risk of pregnancy.
That being said, pulling out is better than not using birth control at all. And it’s best to combine it with another method, such as condoms or birth control pills, for added protection.
Can you get pregnant during ovulation if you pull out?
You’re most likely to become pregnant from unprotected sex in the five days leading up to and for 24 hours after ovulation. If you decide to use the pull-out method during this time, be sure to use another form of birth control or have emergency contraception, like the Julie Morning After Pill, on hand. Abstaining from unprotected sex on the five days before and one day after ovulation (usually around six days total) is another way to protect yourself from pregnancy. Here’s how to tell if you’re ovulating.
If you do choose to use emergency contraception, it’s important to remember that timing is critical. If the ovulation process has already started, the morning-after pill will not be effective since it works by stopping or delaying ovulation. However, there are other emergency contraceptive options that are still effective during ovulation, like the copper or high-dose hormonal IUD, both of which are over 99% effective if inserted within 5 days of having unprotected sex.
How well does it work?
Let’s be clear: The pull-out method can work for some couples, and it’s better than nothing. In fact, the Cleveland Clinic says it’s about 80% effective. However, effectiveness depends on how well you and your partner use it — aka if your partner pulls out in time — and if you have another form of birth control as a backup.
The biggest issue with pulling out is that your partner has to do it while they, or both of you, are experiencing heightened stimulation (basically, when sex feels really, really good). It’s not easy to do. Practicing with a condom can help your partner get a better understanding of when they’re about to ejaculate.
Does it prevent STIs?
No. Pulling out does not protect against STIs, which is another reason why this method isn’t ideal when used on its own. STIs are transmitted through blood, ejaculate and pre-ejaculate, and other skin-to-skin contact, so it’s still possible to contract one or give it to your partner even when using the pull-out method.
The best way to protect against STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital warts (which are caused by HPV), herpes, and syphilis is to wear a condom and get vaccinated. (There are vaccines against HPV and hepatitis viruses that reduce your risk of getting an STI.)
Signs of pregnancy after pulling out
There’s no way to tell if you’re pregnant immediately after sex. It can take up to 6 days for the sperm to fertilize an egg and another week or so for the fertilized egg to stick to the wall of the uterus. Since all of this takes time, the most reliable way to tell if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test after a missed period.
How to pull out most effectively
While the pull-out method is far from ideal, there are some things you can do to make it more effective:
- Involve both parties. Establishing physical or verbal cues (like a squeeze on the shoulder or saying “I’m close”) can indicate to a partner to separate.
- Avoid using the pull out method (or add in a condom) during your fertile window. This is when a little mistake will have the biggest impact.
- Have your partner hit up the bathroom before sex. Peeing will flush out most (though not all) of the sperm that’s been hanging out in the urethra.
- Keep the Julie Morning After Pill™ on hand – just in case…
Should I take the Julie Morning After Pill™ for pre-cum?
Taking the lie Morning After Pill™ after unprotected sex is always a good idea. While pre-cum typically has very little sperm, it only requires one (again, just one!) sperm to fertilize an egg and ultimately lead to pregnancy. A study involving a small sampling of men found that 41% had sperm in their pre-cum (pre-ejaculate, if you want to get clinical about it). While the majority of people do not get pregnant from pre-cum, it is possible. If you want to be safe and have the best shot at avoiding pregnancy, taking a morning-after pill like Julie’s is essential.
What are the side effects of the pull-out method?
Strictly-speaking, pulling out is a method, not a medication, so it doesn’t have side effects per se. However, some people do experience anxiety, worry, or fear as they wonder if they or their partner pulled out in time and/or if they could be ovulating. If you used the pull-out method after unprotected sex and are not sure if sperm could have entered your vagina, taking a morning-after pill like Julie’s can be very helpful (and bring you some peace of mind).
How likely are you to get pregnant without protection?
You are at a higher risk of pregnancy when you have sex without using any protection. In fact, about 85 out of 100 women who are sexually active and don’t use any form of birth control, including condoms, are likely to become pregnant within a year. If you recently had sex without protection or if your protection failed, the morning-after pill can reduce your risk of pregnancy by 89% if taken within 72 hours.
How to prevent pregnancy effectively
While the only birth control method that’s 100% effective is abstinence (not having penis-to-vagina sex at all), there are many ways to significantly reduce your chances of getting pregnant.
- Birth Control. While emergency contraception can be used as a backup method in cases of unprotected sex, daily birth control is more effective at preventing pregnancy on a regular basis. Many types of birth control options exist, including hormonal, non-hormonal, or barrier protections.
- Hormonal birth control options contain synthetic hormones that suppress ovulation. They include daily birth control pills, the shot, implant, patch, ring, and levonorgestrel IUD. Some hormonal options have a lower dose than others, which can be helpful if your body is sensitive to the added hormones
- Non-hormonal birth control like the copper IUD
- Barrier methods of pregnancy protection include condoms and diaphragms
- Emergency Contraception. Emergency contraception is a safe way to prevent pregnancy up to when used as soon as possible after unprotected sex. The golden rule: The sooner you use emergency contraception, the better. Keep in mind that emergency contraception is not an abortifacient (a method that causes an abortion) and will not affect or end an existing pregnancy.
There are a few different types of emergency contraceptives, and some can differ in effectiveness due to the person’s weight.
Approved methods of emergency contraception include:
- Levonorgestrel pills (aka the morning-after pill): These pills, like the Julie Morning After Pill™ and Plan B One-Step®, contain 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone that is also found in many daily birth control pills. They work by delaying ovulation (when an egg is released from an ovary). No egg means there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize. And when there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize, there’s no pregnancy! First and foremost, these pills are legal, FDA-approved, and available in all 50 states without a prescription. The morning-after pill works best when taken within three days of unprotected sex, although effectiveness may be reduced for those with a BMI over 25.
- Ulipristal acetate pills (Ella®): This type of morning-after pill is only available via prescription in the United States. Ulipristal acetate works similarly to levonorgestrel by delaying ovulation. However it is more effective overall and is a better option for people who have a BMI above 25. Effectiveness goes down for individuals with a BMI over 30, but it can still be a helpful solution after unprotected sex.
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs): The copper and levonorgestrel IUDs are small T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus by a physician. They are over 99% effective when inserted within five days of unprotected sex. Plus, they’re not affected by weight. IUDs are a standard form of birth control and typically last three or more years. The main barrier to entry is that an appointment and insertion procedure are required.
While we love to share useful and helpful information, the above shouldn’t replace the advice of your healthcare professional. For questions about birth control and other women’s health issues, please talk to your doctor.
Julie wants to keep young women in the driver’s seat of their own stories and provide them with the tools necessary for a happy, healthy sex life.
We know (and have lived!) through the ups and downs of young adulthood firsthand, and we aim to normalize the events, conversations, and questions that come during this period to help destigmatize sexual health. We believe women should live life with total freedom — starting with their ability to choose how, when, and if they become pregnant.
We know that women can make the best choices for themselves when equipped with the right information. We don’t take sexual education lightly and are committed to sharing accurate and factual information through rigorous planning and QA processes. In fact, all Julie content is reviewed by at least two board-certified doctors on our medical board. Learn more about them here.
For more details on our editorial process, see here.
Tessa Commers, MD, FAAP, MS is a board-certified pediatrician based in the Seattle area with a particular interest in adolescent health and sexual education. In addition to clinical practice and serving as Head of Medical at Julie, Tessa also founded AskDoctorT — an education platform with over a million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube — aimed at improving adolescent health literacy and body confidence. She also hosted and wrote the puberty podcast “That’s Totally Normal!” and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and educational initiatives focused on child and adolescent wellbeing.
Education: Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City – Pediatric Residency; University of Nebraska Medical Center – Doctor of Medicine (MD); University of Nebraska Medical Center – Master of Science (MS, Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy); New York University – Bachelor of Arts (BA)
